16 Fans Confirmed Dead in Collapse at 4Minute Concert

In a death toll that continues to rise, so far 16 fans have been confirmed dead after a vent collapsed during an outdoor concert put on by the popular K-Pop girl group 4Minute.

Reports say the tragic loss of life took place when fans began climbing an air vent in an attempt to get a better view of the girl group -- despite concert organizers' many attempts to dissuade fans from doing just that. The weight of fans proved to be too much for the vent, causing it to collapse.

According to BBC News, an estimated 20 to 30 people were seen climbing the grate. An eyewitness account described the scene to Korea's Yonhap News Agency, saying: "There was a sudden, loud screaming, and when I turned it looked as if people were being sucked down into a hole."

Fans fell an alleged 30 feet into an underground parking lot. A fire official spoke with YTN, being quoted as saying: "Twelve people were killed at the scene, two others died while they were being rushed to the hospital. Others are assumed to have passed away while receiving medical treatment."

There were about 700 people in total at the concert, which took place at the Pangyo Techno Valley in Seongnam, South Korea.